Cheryl Reeve credits Caitlin Clark hype for drawing new factions of Lynx supporters: “The buzz was palpable”

WNBA: Finals-New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx - Source: Imagn

Cheryl Reeve credits Caitlin Clark for uplifting the “buzz” around the Minnesota Lynx last WNBA season. [photo: Imagn]

Cheryl Reeve changed her tune regarding Caitlin Clark after the 2024 Paris Olympics. From saying she didn’t “give two s**ts” about a pro-Clark crowd in Minnesota to calling her a transcendent “roadshow” and a “headliner.” Reeve’s admiration and appreciation of Clark continued after the end of the WNBA Finals.

When asked by a reporter what her team’s season had been like, the Lynx head coach responded:

“When Caitlin Clark announced she was going to enter the draft, I remember the wave of enthusiasm that came from a player who wasn’t even going to play for the Lynx. There was a lot of excitement and momentum for the WNBA.”

WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones reminisces club night fun with A Boogie wit da Hoodie

Former MLB executive outlines key reasons behind WNBA heading for possible lockout: “NBA owners are responsible for about 75% of the WNBA”

Brittney Griner goes viral after dropping massive accusations on WNBA of favoring Minnesota

“It was one of the best years we’ve ever had. But also support-wise from the community, whether it was in an arena or anywhere we went, the interest in the team and the buzz was palpable.”

Cheryl Reeve wasn’t too happy with the attention Caitlin Clark generated at the start of the season. She called out the league for not putting the Minnesota Lynx in the preseason spotlight. Instead, it was Clark’s Indiana Fever who was on the WNBA League Pass in her preseason debut against the Atlanta Dream.

Reeve’s frustration continued when the Fever first visited the Lynx in mid-July. She emphatically told reporters she couldn’t care less about the pro-Clark crowd in Minnesota in that game.

Since then, she has been giving the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year winner credit for her impact on women’s basketball.

Cheryl Reeve wished Caitlin Clark played for her

On Aug. 24, the Minnesota Lynx celebrated the legendary Maya Moore’s jersey retirement night. The franchise timed it during Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s visit to Minneapolis. Clark considers Moore one of the greatest of all time, so the timing was perfect.

After the game, Reeve had this to say when asked about Moore and Clark in the same building:

“I wish one was playing for us — either one.”

Reeve has been signing Clark’s praises starting the second half of the 2024 WNBA season.